NBCUniversal: Bring back TechTV from the ashes of G4TV

TLDR;

Now that the failed experiment disdainfully known as G4 is dead, it is time that we bring back TechTV and once again embrace a geek culture that is thoughtful, intelligent, and educating. TechTV embraced those principles, and we need TechTV back.

TechTV was a milestone in both the technology world and geek culture. With various programs dedicated to aspects of geek culture, tech-related entertainment, and technology education, TechTV earned a special place in the hearts of geeks and tech enthusiasts. Fans of TechTV saw this channel slowly abandon what they enjoyed as TechTV morphed into G4TV.

G4TV was a nice experiment but a failed one. As time went on, G4's focus deteriorated into plethora of syndicated drivel and ultimately unwatchable daily programming. Interest in the channel dipped so low that DirecTV - one of the nation's largest providers - dropped G4 and stated that interest in the channel was not high enough to warrant a contract renewal.

If there is any network in recent history that deserves a second chance, TechTV stands at the forefront. Thoughtful minds like Leo LaPorte, Chris Pirillo, Kevin Rose, and Patrick Norton worked every day to help us better understand the world of technology in an entertaining way, and they also helped shed light on lesser known software that could improve our tech experiences. I should know. I was there when my friend, Aleks Ozolins, became an overnight sensation with his Magical Jellybean Keyfinder thanks to Chris Pirillo.

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Only got to see 2 years of stuff from TechTV way back in 2001-2003, during my first two years at college, until it was removed from the local cable options, but I'm pretty sure I had it on way more than any other channel, and a lot of the TVs in the engineering and computer science buildings had it on constantly. There is still a large market for the kind of programming they had back then, considering the large number of older people out there who have never been trained in computer use, and a TV show is simple enough to ease them into it, if it were only more available and actually relevant.

That's the very reason why it needs to be on TV. It will introduce the idea of TechTV to a fresh, young audience and reel in old fans like me. If you keep your stuff online, your chances of hitting a maximum is rather low. Look at the Nielsen ratings of any show you can think of and then consider the view count when that episode is reposted online. The difference in numbers is usually night and day.

Pirillo had Lockergnome way before he was offered a spot on the original TechTV. Didn't stop him then. I doubt it would stop him now.
There are many reasons why this needs to be a network rather than podcasts thrown here and there on various websites. For starters, it stretches communities out. Also, production quality suffers because there isn't nearly enough money brought in for these endeavors. What we're talking about here goes beyond just one or two guys. An entire network dedicated to the things that brought everyone to TechTV in the first place. We're talking awesome stuff on your big screen HD TV, in full HD, DVR capable with some other cool things to catch.

that's the thing ain't it, it feels more and more like what the viewers want doesn't matter in the least, hell G4 proves that, we said no and they just force-fed us all the crap you could stand,the big problem is programmers have gotten psychotically cheap and lazy they keep taking the easy road, the problem is that's not how to get viewership up and grow ratings
Tech TV had a lot of shows with live hosts and decent staffs they don't have any of that anymore and even with the big shakeup at G4 and with a re-branding I don't expect them to suddenly get back/rehire or hire any new staff or old faves, believe me I wish it would happen more than anyone but I'm afraid that ship has sailed and then sunk, I don't think there's any way they could raise and resurrect it at this point. but I always hope to be wrong.

The hosts have already moved on to other projects. Leo with TWiT.tv, Revision3 (Patrick Norton/Robert Heron in the form of the Tekzilla video show). Chris Pirillo with his own site Lockergnome. Leo streams everything live, and also as podcasts. That's the true TechTV 2.0.

I'm glad to hear that someone remembers the Keyfinder! That one episode made the Internet world go crazy. I remember helping Aleks yank stolen copies off of eBay because some users were - gasp! - trying to sell his freeware. Aleks did eventually sell all of MJB off a few years ago for a fairly large sum. It's sad to see it go.

You have to do more than just send e-mails. If you, and everyone else that agree with your petition, want to show your passion for TechTv, then you all need to come up with an idea that can really open NBC'S eyes to the matter at hand.

Maybe you can send in old RAM and Computer Chips, or something Tech related. And who knows, maybe if your petition succeeds, the TV industry might think, "There's a lot of people LIKE this geek stuff? If they like it this much, I wonder if we can add on some more stuff they might like..." -Wishful Thinking :)

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